Women/Women's Health Issues Articles

Although it occurs in only 3% of cases, babies who are breast-fed run the risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia during their first 6 months of life. Now a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says early iron supplementation may help reduce that risk.
The prospective, placebo-controlled study assessed the effect of early iron supplementation of breast-fed infants on iron status. Potential adverse effects in terms of tolerance and growth function were also studied.

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, women own 40% of the privately owned firms in the United States. The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) reports that 19.2% of its member clubs are owned by women and 18.8% have male and female co-owners. As more women dive into fitness business ownership, it’s important to understand the unique demands placed on them.

It is not uncommon for those suffering chronic pain to also experience depression. According to the Harvard Medical School’s website, people with chronic pain are three times more likely to develop
depression than those who are pain free. Also, individuals who are clinically depressed are three times more likely to develop chronic pain than nondepressed people.

Warming up is especially important for a mom-to-be because it prepares her, both mentally and physically, for what is to come. Many women are afraid that exercise will put their pregnancies at risk. Before you begin, inform students about your training in prenatal fitness and discuss the benefits of movement. Explain that exercise may help reduce muscle pain commonly associated with pregnancy and also prepare participants for labor. Mention that they all have different capabilities and that it’s important to listen to their bodies.

Saudi Arabia is seeking closure of
unlicensed women-only gyms, states information courtesy of Reuters and The Guardian. Fitness facilities have historically been segregated for
religious reasons, prompting the
proliferation of unlicensed women-only gyms. Saudi clerics have taken umbrage with this trend, concerned that female physical activity may go against religious values. According to The Guardian, women may soon be allowed to vote, which may alter the course of such closures.

Is your young female client having difficulty increasing muscle mass? According to a study presented at the 122nd Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society in April, oral contraceptives may be the problem. The study included 73 “generally healthy women” aged 18–31. Of those women, 34 used oral contraceptives (OC) while 39 did not (non-OC). Both groups exercised three times per week for 10 weeks under the supervision of exercise physiologists. They were also encouraged to consume 0.5 g of protein per pound of body weight daily to stimulate muscle growth.

Previous research studies have linked full-calorie, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with greater weight gain and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Now a new study has looked more specifically at the association between SSB consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women.

Because pregnant women are “eating for two,” it’s easy to lose track of or
ignore weight gained during gestation. Not a good idea. For the first time
since 1990, the government has weighed in with new guidelines on how
many pounds women should gain during pregnancy. This is in line with previous studies that have determined that babies born to overweight mothers are at greater risk of premature delivery; these infants are also more likely to become overweight or obese as they grow up.

According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, millions of women experience urinary incontinence. “Some women may lose a few drops of urine while running or coughing. Others may feel a strong, sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine,” states information on the website. Now a recent study may offer much-needed relief for incontinent overweight and obese women.

Obese women thinking of becoming pregnant may want to make body composition improvements prior to conceiving, suggests recent research. A study published in the February 11 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (2009; 301[6], 636–50) highlights an increased prevalence of congenital birth defects among children of obese mothers.